Recruitment process
The recruitment process consists of an online application and interview. These are expected to take place on 27 and 28 August 2026.
Your interview takes place online through Microsoft Teams. A member of our recruitment team will be in touch with guidance. If you have any queries about this, contact [email protected].
You should keep these dates free or notify us if you're not available. We'll make every effort to accommodate your date preferences but we can't guarantee it.
Behaviours
You are also asked to complete a statement of no more than 250 words for each behaviour setting out how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience match the specified behaviours and requirements.
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Communicating and Influencing
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Working Together
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Delivering at Pace
You also need to demonstrate the Crown Prosecution Service or Civil Service values.
The panel has the right to assess the lead behaviour Communicating and Influencing first. If the standard on this behaviour isnt met, the other behaviours wont be considered and your application wont progress. The panel also has the right to raise the minimum standard pass mark. The panel may also refer to the lead behaviour at the interview stage to determine merit order.
Interview
We use behaviours to help us understand your experience, to see if you're a good fit for the role. You are assessed against EO in the Civil Service success profiles behaviours framework. We are assessing 3 behaviours at interview stage
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Communicating and Influencing
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Working Together
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Delivering at Pace
CV
Youre not required to upload your CV. However, when submitting your application there is a CV section. You are required to provide information about your employment and/or academic history for the past three years.
Its your responsibility to provide the specified information in the requested format to ensure that you're considered for the post.
If you're unable to cover three years through employment or academic history, you must provide a character reference for clearance purposes.
Strengths
Strengths are tested at interview stage - the strengths tested are not shared before the interview.
Other
This is a full-time post. We do consider requests for flexible, part-time working and job share, always considering the operational needs of the department.
Please note that the CPS is unable to offer visa sponsorship. Therefore, if you require visa sponsorship to work in the UK, you will not meet the eligibility criteria for this role.
Clearance
If successful, you are required to secure a Security Clearance, for which you must have a current valid UK address.
If successfully appointed, we ask you to complete a character enquiry form and nationality and immigration questionnaire
If you're a Crown Prosecution Service member of staff, you wont need to do a Disclosure and Barring Service check as you already hold this clearance.
The job youre applying for is covered by Article 3(a) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, consequently Section 4(2) of that Act doesnt apply. Youre required to disclose all previous convictions and cautions including spent convictions. Failing to make a full declaration will result in withdrawing your offer of employment if our checks reveal convictions that havent been disclosed.
To be cleared to Security Check clearance level, you have to be able to meet the residency requirement in the Cabinet Office guidance. For the Crown Prosecution Service, this is three years within the last five years
Reserve list
If you're recommended by the selection panel but not appointed to the current vacancy, youre put on a reserve list for 12 months. You may be offered another Senior Personal Assistant post in CPS if a vacancy comes up during this period. We may also approach candidates on the waiting list to fill other roles that require similar knowledge and experience.
Fraud check
The Crown Prosecution Service provides a Fair Processing Notice to all new applicants after theyve been successful at interview. These candidates are informed that, as one aspect of pre-employment screening, their personal details name, National Insurance number and date of birth are checked against the Internal Fraud Database. We won't employ anyone included on the database unless they can demonstrate exceptional circumstances.
The Strategic Resourcing team in the Crown Prosecution Service will, on behalf of the vacancy holder, inform applicants when they are refused employment because of their inclusion in the Internal Fraud Database.
Civil Service Commission
If youre dissatisfied with the recruitment process and wish to make a complaint, please contact [email protected] with your concerns.
If you remain dissatisfied and wish to make a further complaint, please click on the following link to the Civil Service Commission complaints page Recruitment Complaints - Civil Service Commission
Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles can be found at https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/
Details of the Civil Service Nationality Rules are located at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
Candidates are subject to UK immigration requirements. For the most up-to-date information on the requirements of working in the UK, please go to the UK Visas and Immigration website at https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
